Fluorescent lighting fixture



Nov. 9, 1954 Filed March 15, 1951 E F. ZURAWSKI FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 9, 1954 E. F. ZURAWSKI FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 13 1951 United States PatentQ 2,694,139 FLUORESCENT LIGHTING Edward F. Zurawski, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Garden City Plating & Manufacturing Co., a corporation of Illinois Application March 13, 1951, Serial No. 215,290

1 Claim. (Cl. 24l)--51.11)

This invention relates to a lighting fixture, and is particularly concerned with a reflector having detachable end plates.

It is common practice to mount a plurality of lighting fixtures of the type with which this invention is concerned in rows having a plurality of reflectors aligned longitudi-- nally with the ends of adjacent reflectors in substantially abutting relationship. A serious disadvantage of such installations heretofore has been the excessive amount of shadow cast by abutting ends of each pair of adjacent reflectors. The exposed ends of the outer reflectors in. each row must be suitably covered. It is impractical, however, to provide each design of reflectors in three different styles, one with end plates on both ends, one with an end plate on only one end, and one without any end plates, because of the expense involved.

In accordance with the present invention, I have provided separate end plates that may be secured to the outer ends of the end reflectors in any row of reflectors. so that the outer ends of each row of reflectors will be: closed. The abutting inner ends of the reflectors are sub stantially open. with only enough transverse web at the ends of each reflector to provide the required strength to prevent the reflector sides from spreading apart, so that the amount of shadow cast by the ends of the individualv reflectors is kept to a minimum.

The structure of the present invention by means of which the above and other advantages are attained will be described in detail in the following specification. taken in coniunction with the accompanying drawings showing a hpriferred illustrative embodiment of the invention, in w 1c 2 Figure l is a perspective view of a lighting fixture embodying the present invention, showing a-reflector with its ends closed;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one end of a reflector without any end plate applied thereto;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Fig. 2, showing the end of a reflector adapted to be positioned adiacent the end of the reflector shown in Fig. 2 in longitudinal alignment;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the abuttin ends of a pair of longitudinally aligned reflectors;

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of an end plate adapted to be secured to the upper portion of the end of a reflector;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of an end plate adapted to be secured to the lower portion of the end of a reflector;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through an individual reflector having end plates applied to both ends;

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view through a reflector embodying the invention; and

Fig.9 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of one end of a panel frame and a bridge member for closing the gap between the abutting ends of two of such panel frames.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicates a reflector comprising a flat top 3. depending side walls 4, and skeletal end members 5. The upper portion of each side wall 4 extends downwardly at right angles from top member 3, as indicated at 6, to form a space for the reception of a ballast 7 and wiring (not shown). A transverse socket supporting strap 8 is secured adjacent each end of the reflector. Opposite edges of strap 8 are provided with upstanding flanges 9 and 10 which fit adjacent members 6. Flange 9 is secured to one member 6 by a pair of lugs 11 which project throughslots in member 6 provided therefor. Flange 10 is secured to the opposite member 6 by a single bolt or screw 12. Accordingly, strap 8 may be inserted in or removed from the reflector quickly and easily. Straps 8 are notched adjacent the outer edge, as indicated at 13, to receive sockets 14 in which the ends of fluorescent tubes 15 are mounted. The upper portion of each socket is offset to provide a shoulder 16 which rests on the edges of strap 8 adjacent notch 13, whereby the sockets are supported in proper position to receive thefluorescent tubes. Openings 17 are also pro vided in straps 8 to receive starters (not shown).

The reflector illustrated is provided with straps 8 designed for a structure in which two fluorescent tubes are mounted. The same reflector may be used with a single, centrally disposed fluorescent tube by replacing straps 8 with similar straps having a single notch 13 and an opening 17 positioned centrally of the strap. In the same manner the reflector may be used with three fluorescent tubes by replacing straps 8 with similar straps designed for three tubes.

A metal strip 18, extending longitudinally of the reflector, is secured at its opposite ends to straps 8 in any suitable manner. As shown in Fig. 7, opposite ends of strip 18 are provided with snap fasteners 19, 19 and are snapped into place. Strip 18 keeps the wires above the fluorescent tubes.

The portions of side walls 4 below members 6 are flared outwardly from the lower edges of portions 6, as indicated at 20, and the inner surfaces of portions 20 are preferably lined with white enamel or other light reflecting material to provide suitable reflecting surfaces. End members 5 are each provided with flanges 21, which fit inside portions 20 and are rigidly secured thereto, as by welding, to make the ends of the reflector rigid.

' End members 5 are of skeletal construction, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and are preferably provided with a reinforcing rib 5' extending substantially across the entire width thereof. The upper portion of each reflector 2 is left open to provide space for the wires to run from one fixture to the adjacent fixture when a series of fixtures is arranged in longitudinal alignment. The upper portion of each member 5 is also cut away, as indicated at 22, to provide clearance for sockets 14. The lower portion of end member 5 is cut away, as indicated at 23, to increase the illumination from each fixture by reducing the amount of shadow cast by the end members 5 of a series of longitudinally aligned reflectors. This open area at the lower portion of the abutting ends of all reflectors in a longitudinally aligned series is of importance because it inafter referred to. It also eliminates shadows that would otherwise be cast downwardly by the ends of each reflector to spoil the uniformity of the illumination. The portion of each end member 5 secured to the reflectors is at almost the same elevation as the fluorescent tubes in the reflector, and the shadow cast by said end members is substantially within the reflector itself. If any portion of the shadow of end members 5 does project below the lower edge of the reflector, it still is substantially above eye level so that the room in which the fixtures are mounted appears to be illuminated uniformly with no dark spots visible.

The outer end of each outer reflector in a longitudinally aligned series of reflectors is provided with end plates 24 and 25. End plate 24 is secured to side walls 4, and end plate 25 is secured to end member 5 at its opposite ends. End plates 24 and 25 cooperate to provide completely closed ends for each outer end of a series of longitudinally aligned reflectors. The closed outer ends of the outer reflectors provide a neat, finished appearance for each row of reflectors. A pair of knockout holes 24' is positioned in each end plate 24 so that holes may be provided at either end of the fixture whereby the wires connecting the fixture to a source of electrical current may be inserted through whichever end of the fixture is most convenient. Member 25 is provided with a centrally disposed offset lip 26 at its upper edge. Lip 26 engages the inner surface of the lower edge of member 5, as shown in Fig. 7, to

prevent end plate 25 from bulging outwardly at its central portion.

The lower edge of each side wall 4- is provided with a vertical portion 27 which cooperates with similar portions to define an o ening. in: the bottom of the reflector in which a closure frame 28 is mounted. The preferred means for mounting frame 28 is fully disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 215,289, filed concur rent-1y herewith, and comprises a plurality of hinge lugs 29 rigidly secured along one longitudinal edge of frame 28 and engaging apertures (not shown) in one portion 27 of the reflector. A plurality of catches 30 rotatably mounted on the edge of frame 28 opposite hinge lugs 29 engage slots (not shown) in the opposite portion-'27 and cooperate with the hinge lugs to hold the closure frame in the openingin the bottom of the reflector. A transparent panel 31-, of; glass or suitable plastic, mounted in closure frame 28 is held in place by a plurality of resilient metal clips 28. Itwill be understood that a louver frame may be substituted for the closure frame 28, as disclosed in the above mentionedcopending application.

When a plurality of reflectors is arranged in a longitudinally aligned series the ends of adjacent closure frames are in substantially abutting relationship. However, a viewer positioned directly below such joints may see light therethrough. This is quite annoying to some persons and, in order to obviate any possibility of having such cracks of light, I have provided a bridge plate 32 which fits over the joint between the ends of the closure iram'es of two longitudinally abutting reflectors. Bridge plate 32 has downturne'd longitudinal edges 33' which hold the bridge plate properly positioned relative to the ends of adjoining closure frames.-

The' side walls 4 of eachreflector are bent outwardly from the lower edge of vertical portions 27 to form flanges 34, and then upwardly, as indicated at 35, to provide a neat appearance. End members 25 are also provided with an outwardly extending flange 36, corresponding to flanges 34, and an upwardly extending flange 37.- Flanges 38 are extended from opposite ends of flange 37 and conform to the appearance of flanges 35, thereby giving the entire lower edge portions of any installation a uniform appearance, regardless of whether the installation comprises a single reflector or any number of longitudinally aligned reflectors in end to end abutting relationship;

From the foregoing description it will be clear that the Cir 4. individual reflectors may be used with one, two or three fluorescent tubes, and that the" abutting ends of intermediate reflectors in any series of reflectors aligned longitudinally will cast substantially no shadow downwardly, so that the room in which the fixtures are mounted will be illuminated uniformly over the area served by the fixtures. The complete installation, comprising either a single reflector, or a series of longitudinally aligned reflectors, willpresent a uniform appearance extending continuously around both sides andends of the installation.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment-of my invention in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative, rather than; restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention; Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact structure described.

I claim:

In a' lighting fixture, a reflector comprisingta' top m'ernbendepen'ding side walls, and a pair of end members, the upper edges of said end members being spaced below said top member and being rigidly secured to said side walls, each end member having its lower portion cut away to reduce the amount of shadow cast by a fluorescent tube References- Cited inthe file of this patent STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,291,488 Naysmith July 28, 1942 2,291,494 Lorenz July 28, 1942 2,321,099 Naysmith -5. June 8', 1943 2,337,685 Schepmoes Dec. 28,. 1943 2,531,232 Naysmith Nov. 21, 1950 2,564,362 Holden Aug. 14, 1951 2,567,014 Fine et a1. Sept. 4, 1951 

